“My lips are sealed. Just Paige.”
Nodding, I take a deep breath. “Frankly, it’s hard to be around him. He’s such a great dad and a good person. And…”
“And freakishly handsome.”
I hang my head. “Yes. Sooo handsome.”
She cackles. “I knew it!”
“Shh.” I don’t want Cadence to overhear us. “I don’t want to like him. I’ve been down this road before, and there’s a steep cliff at the end. Getting involved with Nick is a terrible idea. Plus…”
Baylee shakes my arm. “Plus what?”
“He’s been grumpy this week. Like, in the worst mood for the last few days. And it kills me. I want to make him feel better. I want to talk to him until his problems go away. So if I react like this when we’re just friends, what would happen if we…”
“Got naked?”
“Yes. I’d be a nervous wreck until things inevitably ended.” Which is why I bought a vibrator—I need something to deal with the tension. It just arrived today.
Her eyes go soft. “It’s okay to be afraid. It’s not like I have all the answers. I have my own relationship woes. Have you met Maverick Walker?”
“He’s one of Nick’s friends, right? A tight end?”
“Yeah, we grew up together in the same small town. In fact, Paige has always had a thing for Mav’s older brother, Rhett.”
“She told me about him.”
Her eyes widen. “She must love you because she never talks about Rhett with anyone. Anyway, I’ve had a raging crush on Mav since we were kids, but I’ve always been friendzoned. It sucks to watch him sleep around with jersey chasers who will happily swap him out for one of his teammates.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t know if this will help you at all, but ever since I found out my ex cheated on me, I’ve decided I have to do my own thing. I have to go after what makes me happy. I can’t sideline myself, and I’m hoping the right man will fall in love with that version of me, the girl who goes after her dreams.” I squeeze her hand. “So screw Maverick Walker. If he doesn’t realize that he has a great woman right under his nose, then he doesn’t deserve you.”
“Thanks.” She gives me a grateful smile.
“Who wants some homemade buffalo wings?” Cadence calls out from the kitchen.
“Oh! I do!” Baylee shouts. I give her a look, and she shrugs. “They smell good.” She pats my arm. “Don’t worry. I’m still rooting for you over the Stepford nanny.”
“I shouldn’t be jealous. She’s just so dang perfect.”
Cadence comes into the living room wearing a pretty sundress and pristine white apron. Her dark hair is pulled up in a twist. She’s really beautiful. I can see why she was runner-up on The Nanny Whisperer. That’s why I can’t bring myself to watch the last season. I don’t need more reasons to feel inferior to her. She sing-songs, “I have spicy buffalo, honey barbecue, ranch, and plain in case Hazel doesn’t like the flavors.”
Hazel runs in and wiggles her fingers, which are covered in sauce. “I want honey bawbecue!”
“Come here, Hazelnut.” I whip out some hand wipes and clean her off.
Cadence lets out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Abigail. I was sure she was going to wipe her hands on my apron, and it was giving me anxiety.”
“Aren’t aprons supposed to get dirty?”
She laughs. “I play a little game with myself to see if I can cook an entire meal without getting anything on it. I consider it a personal challenge.”
Good thing she’s never seen me cook. I somehow always manage to get flour in my hair. Once, it went up my nose.
Baylee piles her plate with wings and groans when she bites into one. “Oh my God. These are incredible.”
Cadence holds the platter in front of me. “Are you sure I can’t entice you? They’re my mama’s recipe.”
“Fine. Twist my arm.”
